Hurricane Gustav (2008)
Hurricane Gustav made landfall near Cocodrie, Louisiana, on September 1, 2008, followed just 12 days later by Hurricane Ike, which struck the north end of Galveston Island, Texas, on September 13, 2008. Together, these storms provided IBHS and the University of Florida with an unprecedented opportunity to study the real-world performance of asphalt shingle roofs across two major hurricane events.
Research & Analysis
Because asphalt shingles remain the most common residential roofing material in hurricane-prone regions, understanding how they perform during severe wind events is essential to reducing future losses. This research examined how roof age, building code adoption, and wind exposure influenced shingle damage, while also evaluating the effectiveness of existing wind-resistance ratings and roof design practices.
The findings revealed that roof age plays a significant role in hurricane performance and that homes built under newer building codes generally experienced less roof damage than older homes. By combining field observations with engineering analysis, this study provides valuable insights for homeowners, manufacturers, builders, insurers, and researchers working to improve roof resilience and advance building science.
To explore the complete findings, methodology, and recommendations for improving asphalt shingle performance in hurricane-prone regions.
Download the Report: Surviving Nature’s Fury: Performance of Asphalt Shingle Roofs in the Real World
